So, what is the deepest snow you have plowed with it? I also have a 200’ driveway. However, the first 100’ are at a 25 degree incline. My house sits about 35’ in elevation above the road. I would probably need chains.
My old Simplicity Snow Away snow blower (circa 1972) that I bought 5 years ago for $300 broke. The secondary impeller snapped one of the 3 wings off. It was made out of 1/4” thick cast aluminum. I caught a rock between the housing and the paddle wheel.
I am looking at buying another one. Same model from a guy off Craigslist:
http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/4735078825.html
This design will throw snow farther than any machine made today with the exception or those $2500 Honda blowers. It is shaft and chain driven. It will throw snow 50’. The design also will throw slush or wet heavy snow. They stopped making them because it will also throw rocks 100’ , right through your neighbors window.
All that being said, I would still consider buying an ATV if it could plow up to 6” snow. Anything more than that, I call the plow guy. It is worth the $40.
Six inches is no problem at all.
I’m surprised you aren’t seeing a lot of them in your neighborhood.
Here in mid-Indiana which is not a real snowbelt location they’re all over the place.
(can’t you get somebody to heli-arc your busted impeller?)